Loop Du Jour

Product Notes

Vinnie is often asked if he uses prerecorded tape in performance. Nothing can be further from the truth. Often, the technique and technology that is called 'looping' accounts for this query. In a live performance, and on the CD, two digital devices are employed. One for the coloring and tweaking of the texture of the the guitar sound and the other is the actual looping device. The process of looping creates a multi-texutural robust sound. Between that and playing these loops in a stereo mix, a solo performer can create a wide, full and satisfying ambience. Here is how looping is accomplished: When a pedal button is hit at the same time a chord progression is played, as the end of the desired progression is reached, the button is once again hit, causing the chord progression to play over and over, or 'loop'. After this, many parts can be added to create the clear impression of more guitars and even the sounds of other instruments! This the looping process. Vinnies philosophy is that music is a literal language and should be intoned just as clearly and intentionally as spoken language. Therefore, in spite of the technology being employed, Vinnie attempts to keep the soul of the music alive and present. The technology should always be secondary to the actual intent of the music. Vinnie's experience includes session work and band work in NYC, Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA and British Columbia. He has a degree in Music Composition from Five Towns College, New York. He has done music for performance art, poetry and film. He has also done sound design, composition and music direction for original theater in Austin, TX and Los Angeles. He has worked under the auspices of Babatunde Olatunji, Sly Degbos, Ayo Adeyemi and Gordy Ryan doing traditional and modern African music. He has also worked closely with Bruce Langhorne. Vinnie has an original jam band as well called Conundrum. Read the following review of Vinnie's CD: By Michael Snider Self-admitted 'eclectic guitarist' Caggiano's solo guitar stylings, while certainly in the 'jazz' category ( whatever that means in 2003), evoke a wide range of greats from Grant Green and Jim Hall to Richard Thompson and Frank Zappa, but seem most influenced by Chet Atkins,Wes Montgomery, Mark Knopfler and Carlos Santana. A plethora of stylistic territory is covered here, from blues and relatively straight ahead sounds to world music (particularly Latin) influences. Thankfully, Caggiano displays a high degree of skill without ever falling into the wanky Musician's Institute pseudovirtuosity that has plagued so much of what was once called 'fusion' since Allan Holdsworth came along. His playing throughout is tasteful and occasionally electrifying. 'Loop du Jour' gives the listener a great taste of what Caggiano is capable of, although this bass player wishes that he would record an album with a rhythm section ( of the MGs type...)

Vinnie is often asked if he uses prerecorded tape in performance. Nothing can be further from the truth. Often, the technique and technology that is called 'looping' accounts for this query. In a live performance, and on the CD, two digital devices are employed. One for the coloring and tweaking of the texture of the the guitar sound and the other is the actual looping device. The process of looping creates a multi-texutural robust sound. Between that and playing these loops in a stereo mix, a solo performer can create a wide, full and satisfying ambience. Here is how looping is accomplished: When a pedal button is hit at the same time a chord progression is played, as the end of the desired progression is reached, the button is once again hit, causing the chord progression to play over and over, or 'loop'. After this, many parts can be added to create the clear impression of more guitars and even the sounds of other instruments! This the looping process. Vinnies philosophy is that music is a literal language and should be intoned just as clearly and intentionally as spoken language. Therefore, in spite of the technology being employed, Vinnie attempts to keep the soul of the music alive and present. The technology should always be secondary to the actual intent of the music. Vinnie's experience includes session work and band work in NYC, Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA and British Columbia. He has a degree in Music Composition from Five Towns College, New York. He has done music for performance art, poetry and film. He has also done sound design, composition and music direction for original theater in Austin, TX and Los Angeles. He has worked under the auspices of Babatunde Olatunji, Sly Degbos, Ayo Adeyemi and Gordy Ryan doing traditional and modern African music. He has also worked closely with Bruce Langhorne. Vinnie has an original jam band as well called Conundrum. Read the following review of Vinnie's CD: By Michael Snider Self-admitted 'eclectic guitarist' Caggiano's solo guitar stylings, while certainly in the 'jazz' category ( whatever that means in 2003), evoke a wide range of greats from Grant Green and Jim Hall to Richard Thompson and Frank Zappa, but seem most influenced by Chet Atkins,Wes Montgomery, Mark Knopfler and Carlos Santana. A plethora of stylistic territory is covered here, from blues and relatively straight ahead sounds to world music (particularly Latin) influences. Thankfully, Caggiano displays a high degree of skill without ever falling into the wanky Musician's Institute pseudovirtuosity that has plagued so much of what was once called 'fusion' since Allan Holdsworth came along. His playing throughout is tasteful and occasionally electrifying. 'Loop du Jour' gives the listener a great taste of what Caggiano is capable of, although this bass player wishes that he would record an album with a rhythm section ( of the MGs type...)